CCR

This is my Creative Critical Reflection, in which I address certain topics that have to do with the creation of my magazine.

 Thank you.

My Final Project

So this is the end...

I hope that you enjoy this magazine, it is a little piece of me wrapped up into five pages.

Thank you....

The real end

Well I finished....

My magazine is all done, its a little surreal, I never thought I could create something this nice. I am proud of myself for putting the effort and for figuring out this software (working InDesign is my biggest accomplishment up till date).

I just wanted to sign off, because my last two posts are my critical reflection and my magazine. This is me saying bye and thank you reader for your support.

I hope you have enjoyed this journey as much as I have :)

The real InDesign p.2

Tutorials on tutorials on tutorials.

As you have gathered from my introductory statement, I have started to gather up information and tutorials on InDesign (the lady who does most of them has the calmest voice I have ever heard), the application itself has a lot of features and aspects.

I started by watching an introductory video to InDesign, it basically summed up the program and who uses it (it was not very helpful on technical skills). There was another 30 minute introductory video tutorial that I could not download (I will get back on the progress of that video), I am relying on that video to basically open up the gates to InDesign nirvana. Due to those technical difficulties, I forged ahead, and started watching a mini tutorial on the tools of InDesign and their functions. This mini tutorial was short yet effective, the explanations were concise and explicit. I learned how to use all the tools from the toolbar (I feel so informed).

These tutorials have been a great help for learning the basics of InDesign and have helped me greatly in the progress of my magazine, which I am very thankful for. The 30 minute video turned out to be 43 minutes and basically ended up teaching me everything I would ever need to know on the program (thank you very much Terry White).

Right now I am putting the final touches on my magazine and finishing up on my table of contents, I know that I am short on timing, but I plan to finish this all tonight and start on my reflection tomorrow (which is the last day I have to even do this project, so that shall be an adventure!)

Wish me all the luck in the world, because I am in need of it.....

The real rough draft

As promised yesterday, I present to you the rough draft of my piece on Wynwood (for my double page spread). All I have left to do is type up and summarize the interviews and start on the actual formatting of my magazine (so in translation I really need to get on that InDesign flow because this is due on Sunday).

Enjoy....

        Wynwood. A culmination of the arts packed into a frenzy of nightlife and a warehouse district. One of Miami’s many gems, where the art is found on the side of buildings and the street is a runway. Making it a perfect location for quality street style starlets to wander about, and for me to capture these starlets in action.
Wynwood is a great outlet for self-expression, every person had their unique vibe and character, this was reflected in the clothes worn. On this particular night print was everywhere, on the walls, on rompers, on shorts, shirts and pants. It was print galore and the fashionistas of Wynwood were sporting it. With this rainforest of colorful print, also came the army of minimalists, decked out in all black and sleek ponytails. These minimalists also came in light washed jeans and white blouses, but the biggest must-have of the streets of Wynwood had to be sneakers. From Adidas Superstars to New Balances, I saw this sneaker trend on every man and female with feet, the use of these shoes ranged from casual wear to lavish ensembles. The sneaker trend has not only taken over the streets of Wynwood, but high-fashion runways of Paris and Milan (so I would recommend snagging a pair of these sporty shoes).
        Wynwood was also hat central; fedoras, baseball caps and the casual dad hat stood out in a wave of heads. The fedoras were worn with more relaxed styles and mostly by females, they gave off a very bohemian aura, with some beachy waves in their hair and strappy sandals. The baseball caps were sported backwards by the male population, following the recent sporty trend seen on almost every runway, these backward caps served as a pop of either color or design to their mostly plain outfits. The casual dad hat (which has to be my top pick), was worn forwards, framing faces very nicely. I saw these hats on both males and females, giving off a 90’s vibe that has recently surfaced (for the typical tumblr hipster this hat is a staple).
       Of these hundreds of strangers, I happened to stumble upon a select nine and without any notion of their names or careers, I photographed and interviewed these people on their style and fashion choices.
        Here are the strangers of Wynwood...

The real double page spread

one of the walls 

In addition to the photo shoot, last weekend I was able to create the content for my double page spread.

To conquer this feat I explored Miami's coveted art district (where the art and the fashion blend into one), there I went to the Wynwood Walls and while I gazed at the lively painted murals, I also gazed at the unique street style.

one of the "strangers" that was interviewed

I went up to complete strangers and asked them about their fashion choices and what defined their style. It actually went very smoothly, everyone was really into showing off their fashion sense and they loved being photographed (I was even asked for my information and to keep in contact with them). The only mistake I made was not asking for their names or age or career choices (I was supposed to model my format after a similar segment that the New York Times publishes that I mentioned in my past postings). But, I solved the issue by calling my spread "The Strangers of Wynwood", this gives the participant a mysterious quality and focuses the reader solely on the fashion.

A rough draft of the interviews and my write up about my experience (which will be featured in my double page spread) will be coming real soooon.....

The real photoshoot

I had the photoshoot (and I am so so so so proud of the outcome).

Also I did indeed get a location, we shot at a golf course in the "golden hour" of lighting.

the cover to my magazine!!

I was very stressed out just by the thought of this photoshoot, I had cancellations left and right, last minute outfit choices and location issues, the kitchen sink of issues basically (and getting teenage boys to model is a difficult task for they do not have a fully developed sense of masculinity and fear that it will be obstructed by a modeling job).

I was able to conquer these difficulties and had some lovely pals model for me. I took, edited, styled (ran through a golf course trying to get good lighting) and built every shot. I was so happy with the outcome, I was able to get the vibe and feel that I wanted to accomplish for my magazine.

Next post on my double-paged spread.....

The real location (struggle)

A great location is a wonderful thing.

This is a quick little update (I will be posting more today a little later), I am having a huge struggle with the location of my photo shoot (which happens to be today!). I have my models set and ready to go, but I really need a location that captures the urban arty vibe that I want my magazine to give off. 

Miami would be ideal, but it is too far of a drive to transport a small team of models (so that's out!). The city of Weston is the furthest thing from what I want, I want more of a city scape, something a bit retro and grungy. My last resort would be Ft. Lauderdale, there are many places that I could shoot at, they just need some looking into (also the length of the drive is a very big problem). 

I shall be back with some more information...